Introducing Brandon Howard

Youth team full back Brandon Howard has commented on the enjoyment of playing for Chesterfield at the moment and has praised the impact of coach Miguel Llera.

Llera's side have been in tremendous form of late and next up for them is a clash against Notts County tomorrow morning at St George's Park Sheffield Graves (11am).

The youth team have had two weeks to prepare for this and Howard has revealed what they've been doing to get ready for Saturday's game.

"All week we've been training on drills to do with the game and specific stuff - good passing drills and shooting. We've focused on scoring goals and defending well," he said.

The youth team last played Notts County just a matter of weeks ago, as they defeated them in the first round of the FA Youth Cup. Reflecting upon that game

Howard has insisted that they now know all about their opponents. "We can tell that they're big and strong up front and they like to play through the middle.

"They're open in wide areas - the full backs like bombing on so we'll look to exploit those areas," he noted.

December is an exciting period for the youth team, with a clash against Swansea in the Youth Cup to look forward to on Friday, December 15. Looking ahead to that the defender revealed: "It's a dream to play at Swansea City."

Although only featuring in one of the Youth Cup games so far, Howard has found the experience of a different competition welcoming. "It's been good," he asserted.

"I've only played one game. The first one I was suspended so the game I played I thought it was good. It was a good result," Howard explained.

Howard has meanwhile commented on the great impact Llera has had since arriving at the Spireites. "Since Miguel came in he's brought a good atmosphere to the club and made us play a lot better. That's why we've been winning more games," he expressed.

Many of the youth team players have praised Llera's methods and Howard was quick to back up those sentiments. "He's a good coach through and through.

There's good sessions and it's enjoyable to play under him.

"It's been hard work, but I expected that when he first came in because I knew what he was like as a player," Howard stated.

The full back has been at Chesterfield for a few years now, and explained how his move to the Spireites came about. "I first came at U14s level and I was playing Sunday league before," he revealed.

"I think Mark Smith picked me up at a tournament and ever since then I've played for them [Chesterfield]. I played well and then at U16s I got offered a scholar."

Howard also spoke about his strongest attributes as a player and described what makes him the attacking full back he is: "Running with the ball and going forward - speed and taking people on," he told.

However, he also recognised the importance of improving his all-round game as he looked to become a more complete defender. "I need to get better at defending," Howard remarked.

Despite that, he is still firmly enjoying his time as a scholar with the club. "I've found it good. Since I've come in I've enjoyed it and it's been a good experience playing with good players," he concluded.